The brief
The top-rated elementary schools in New Orleans for 2026 are International School of Louisiana (9.1/10), Lake Forest Elementary Charter School (8.9/10), and Bricolage Academy (8.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 42 elementary schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
New Orleans has 42 ranked elementary schools, and the gap between the strongest and the average tells an important story. ReNEW Laurel Elementary leads the metro with a 9.7 out of 10 — nearly three points above the citywide average of 6.9 — followed by Homer Plessy Community School at 9.3 and ReNEW Dolores T. Aaron Elementary at 9.0. The field is competitive at the top: 23 schools, more than half of all ranked elementaries, score 7 or higher. That spread means the right choice depends heavily on where you look. Schools vary across neighborhoods in curriculum focus, performance trends, and enrollment options. The table below lets you sort by overall score, academic growth, and other key metrics so you can compare schools on the factors that matter most to your family. Start with the top performers or filter by your area to narrow the list.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.1
- 28.9
- 38.7
- 48.4
- 58.2
- 68.2
- 78.1
- 87.9
- 97.9
- 107.8
All 42 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 42
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1International School of LouisianacharterInternational School of Louisianastudents 1,125student-teacher ratio 13.7:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 2Lake Forest Elementary Charter SchoolcharterLake Forest Elementary Charter Schoolstudents 654student-teacher ratio 14.9:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 3Bricolage AcademycharterBricolage Academystudents 887student-teacher ratio 13.9:1grades Pre-K–7th
- 4Arthur Ashe Charter SchoolcharterArthur Ashe Charter Schoolstudents 807student-teacher ratio 12.8:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 5Langston Hughes Charter AcademycharterLangston Hughes Charter Academystudents 820student-teacher ratio 13.7:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 6Kipp MorialcharterKipp Ernest N. Dutch Morialstudents 1,013student-teacher ratio 13.2:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 7Einstein Charter School at Village De L'estcharterEinstein Charter School At Village De L'eststudents 448student-teacher ratio 14.9:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 8Martin Behrman Charter Acad of Creative Arts & ScicharterMartin Behrman Elementary Schoolstudents 847student-teacher ratio 24.2:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 9Young Audiences Charter SchoolcharterJefferson Parishstudents 1,087student-teacher ratio 17.3:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 10Phillis Wheatley Community SchoolcharterPhillis Wheatley Community Schoolstudents 832student-teacher ratio 14.9:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 11Edward Hynes Charter School - UnocharterEdward Hynes Charter School - Unostudents 518student-teacher ratio 16.2:1grades Kindergarten–4th
- 12Homer Plessy Community SchoolcharterHomer Plessy Community Schoolstudents 768student-teacher ratio 12.0:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 13Kipp BelievecharterKipp Believestudents 759student-teacher ratio 13.3:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 14Edward Hynes Charter School - LakeviewcharterEdward Hynes Charter School - Lakeviewstudents 727student-teacher ratio 14.8:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 15Wilson Charter SchoolcharterWilson Charter Schoolstudents 623student-teacher ratio 14.5:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 16Dorothy Height Charter SchoolcharterDorothy Height Charter Schoolstudents 875student-teacher ratio 12.7:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 17Kipp Central CitycharterKipp Central Citystudents 891student-teacher ratio 12.0:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 18Edward Hynes Charter School - ParkviewcharterEdward Hynes Charter School - Parkviewstudents 516student-teacher ratio 16.6:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 19Esperanza Charter SchoolcharterEsperanza Charter Schoolstudents 566student-teacher ratio 14.2:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 20Kipp EastcharterKipp East Community Primarystudents 1,030student-teacher ratio 13.4:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 21Elan Academy Charter SchoolcharterOrleans Parishstudents 437student-teacher ratio 10.9:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 22Samuel J. Green Charter SchoolcharterSamuel J Green Charter Schoolstudents 576student-teacher ratio 13.7:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 23Einstein Charter at Sherwood ForestcharterEinstein Charter At Sherwood Foreststudents 390student-teacher ratio 15.0:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 24Foundation Preparatory AcademycharterFoundation Preparatory Academystudents 222student-teacher ratio 12.3:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 25Benjamin Franklin Elem. Math and SciencecharterOrleans Parishstudents 734student-teacher ratio 12.9:1grades Pre-K–8th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Louisiana education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Louisiana. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
International School of Louisiana
International School of Louisiana
1,125 students · 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 1% in Louisiana · charter
- Academics
- 8.5
- Growth
- 9.6
- Environment
- 8.5
- 2
Lake Forest Elementary Charter School
Lake Forest Elementary Charter School
654 students · 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 3% in Louisiana · charter
- Academics
- 10.0
- Growth
- 8.4
- Environment
- 8.5
- 3
Bricolage Academy
Bricolage Academy
887 students · 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–7th
Top 4% in Louisiana · charter
- Academics
- 9.8
- Growth
- 7.8
- Environment
- 9.5
- 4
Arthur Ashe Charter School
Arthur Ashe Charter School
807 students · 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 6% in Louisiana · charter
- Academics
- 9.2
- Growth
- 8.8
- Environment
- 6.3
- 5
Langston Hughes Charter Academy
Langston Hughes Charter Academy
820 students · 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 9% in Louisiana · charter
- Academics
- 9.3
- Growth
- 8.9
- Environment
- 4.9
- 6
Kipp Morial
Kipp Ernest N. Dutch Morial
1,013 students · 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 9% in Louisiana · charter
- Academics
- 8.8
- Growth
- 8.7
- Environment
- 6.1
- 7
Einstein Charter School at Village De L'est
Einstein Charter School At Village De L'est
448 students · 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 11% in Louisiana · charter
- Academics
- 6.8
- Growth
- 10.0
- Environment
- 5.3
- 8
Martin Behrman Charter Acad of Creative Arts & Sci
Martin Behrman Elementary School
847 students · 24.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 14% in Louisiana · charter
- Academics
- 9.4
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 1.7
- 9
Young Audiences Charter School
Jefferson Parish
1,087 students · 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 15% in Louisiana · charter
- Academics
- 10.0
- Growth
- 7.8
- Environment
- 4.8
- 10
Phillis Wheatley Community School
Phillis Wheatley Community School
832 students · 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 16% in Louisiana · charter
- Academics
- 9.1
- Growth
- 8.8
- Environment
- 3.1
Questions
What is the best elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, International School of Louisiana is the top-rated elementary school in New Orleans with a composite score of 9.1/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in New Orleans, Louisiana?
New Orleans has 64 elementary schools, including 42 charter schools. Of these, 62 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in New Orleans?
Among 62 New Orleans elementary schools with a composite score, the average is 6.7/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Louisiana).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Louisiana, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Louisiana, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the New Orleans elementary school rankings?
New Orleans has 42 charter elementary schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Explore more
- Best middle schools in New Orleans2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in New Orleans2026 rankings and ratings
- All 118 schools in New OrleansElementary, middle and high
- Louisiana schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings